Strut removal help!!
 

I'm getting really frustrated with my rear struts.. I'm trying to remove them to put my tein s techs on but this black metal thing is in the way of getting it off. Can you tell me what it is and how to get it off?

the springs do not need to be compressed to remove the assembly from the car. are you just having trouble dropping them out? it takes a little manuerving to get them out.

yes im trying to get them out. It wont go anywhere! I compressed the springs because I unscrewed the strut because I thought the black thing would come off from the top instead of dropping it down.. I have never done this before lol

the whole thing will drop out from the bottom but the can be a pita to remove. iirc you have to turn it a bit and it comes out at an angle.

Okay thank you! Ill go mess with it until it comes out!

The sway bar bolts are stuck, I can't get them off.. I'm starting to think it's not worth it for the springs :/

they're seized? any signs of rust?
soak the bolts in something to get them loose. WD-40 should do the trick or auto parts store might have something.
spray the hell out of them, let it sit for an hour and give it another shot.

Use PB blaster on the nuts/bolts and get a small propane torch to heat them up. Be careful not to get the flame around any fuel line or rubber hose.

They won't budge.. I'm afraid to put anymore weight because my wrench is slipping and I don't want to round them off

Some good advice in the previous posts;
Spray them with PB Blaster, let them soak awhile.
Get a 6 point socket instead of a wrench, preferably 1/2" drive & a breaker bar or large ratchet. If that doesn't work, your local parts store may have an electric impact wrench you could rent.
If it still doesn't come off try heating it with a propane torch.

Better yet, they are the sway bar bolts, just soak them in pb blaster if you have already, get a 6 point of whatever size you are using, make sure it is the EXACT size, and take the impact to it. I did this when I rebuilt my car with a lot of little seized bolts, came off like nothing. Just make sure the socket fits it well.

If it's a slider bolt with a nut on the end, spray anti-rust compound in both ends, try to tap it on the nut end, and if it budges, spray some on the head end, and tap it back in. Repeat the above process and it should come out. I had a slider bolt on my suspension that just would not fraking move, and this technique worked great form me.

Thank you for the help but its a bolt that have the hex opening in the middle. Not sure if a socket is a choice..

Good timing with this post. I'm trying to fight the rears out, too. I can't contribute much except "I feel your pain" but I wanted to subscribe anyway. I've read somewhere that a second set of hands helps. I've put mine on hold until my brother comes out. :dunno:

You can remove the two bushing brackets and the sway bar will drop low enough with the end links still attatched.

Gotcha. Are you using a good quality wrench? A regular Craftsman or cheap wrench might not cut it.
There are also hollow socket sets made for applications like this and for fasteners with long studs.

GOT IT:D second set of hands did the trick!